Painting Help

[burkejt1]

I have a swingarm on one bike I would like to paint to get rid of some rust before I put some new bushings into it, and I also have a whole frame I want to paint as well as two gas tanks; I have this paintsprayer http://www.lowes.com/pd_301329-47120-SGY-AIR88TZ_1z10r75+1z140vv__?productId=50129826&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1%26page%3D3&facetInfo=Kobaltand a good compressor. I'm stuck on which paint Primer/Top Coat/Clear Coat I should use for these parts, I figure the frame and swingarm should be a pretty tough paint and I'm not sure if the same kind should be used on the tank as well. I keep finding people using rattle cans for this stuff and I have no interested in that but need some help selecting which paint to use for these applications through a sprayer.

 

[nrcb125]

From my experience, any paint is fine in a sprayer as long you make sure to thin it enough. I've even used oil based door paint in a sprayer (mixed 50-50 with mineral oil) on one of my bikes. I don't recommend oil based because it's a bitch to clean. Any automotive paint/clear should be good.

For the metal parts like frame/swingarm it's really best to powder coat it. If there's a place by you, and you don't care about the color see what batches they're running soon and see if you can slide your parts in there. It might save you a few bucks over them having to run a batch just for you. Chances are they'll be doing white or black regularly. Make sure to do all the prep work (sanding, degreasing, etc.) yourself.

 

[SASO Racing]

Hmm. Go to a pai t shop and get some primer. And 2 stage paint. Cheapest is good especially when learning. Congrats on staying away from krylon rattle can, and giving your project the respect it deserves!

 

[High On Octane]

Hi Burkejt1,

Here's what you need to know. Find a paint supplier who sells Omni or Shop Line paint. Omni and Shop Line is PPG's "jobber" line. It is pretty descent quality for a fraction of of the cost of more expensive paints. You will also need a 2K primer and a 2K clear coat. Stay away from lacquers and oil based paints as they do not hold up to spilled gasoline very well. If you need help with actual spray techniques, setting up your gun and compressor, send me a PM and I can walk you thru the must-know basics.

I'm in the process of finishing up the tank for my bike, this is what it looks like right now. This was sprayed using PPG paint and pearls.





Scottie

 

[Luck]

I will add, You also have the option to go with single stage paint. It doesn't need clearcoat and should hold up about as well. If you use non metallic paints, any ding, rock chip, etc. can simply be sanded and repainted. On a different note, before painting, anything with rust on it needs to have the rust 100% removed and then scuffed and primed.
Just some tips, hope they get you going In the right direction. G

 

[High On Octane]

Single stage is a nice option for someone who wants the paint to look descent but doesn't want to spend a lot of money. If you want your paint job to look good for several years to come, want that deep gloss shine and wet look, then you need to spray base clear. You will never get the "depth" out of a single stage paint job. If you are wanting to save a little money, DuPont Nason is a good single stage paint.

 

[focusinprogress]

Single stage is a nice option for someone who wants the paint to look descent but doesn't want to spend a lot of money. If you want your paint job to look good for several years to come, want that deep gloss shine and wet look, then you need to spray base clear. You will never get the "depth" out of a single stage paint job. If you are wanting to save a little money, DuPont Nason is a good single stage paint.

"DuPont Nason" isn't necessarily single stage just by those words... Nason is Dupont's "jobber" brand similar to a previous comment here about a lower brand by PPG. Nason is available in single stage, but you need to ask for it that way. from experience, I don't like Nason.....unless its for something short-term. it doesn't hold up long-term and loses it's bond with surfaces and often flakes off 2-3yrs down the road. You can get Matrix brand for about the same price and it's a much hugher quality product....matter of face pay attention to the shows you see on TV like Counting Cars, American restoration, etc.....you often catch a glimpse of their paint supply room and they use Matrix almost exclusively.

honestly though, on a budget, I've had the best luck in a bang-for-buck scenario using duplicolor rattle can from the auto parts store and just putting REAL 2K clear over that. If you don't have the proper equipment you can get catalyzed 2K clear from Spraymax and it's an excellent product.

 

[High On Octane]

"DuPont Nason" isn't necessarily single stage just by those words... Nason is Dupont's "jobber" brand similar to a previous comment here about a lower brand by PPG. Nason is available in single stage, but you need to ask for it that way. from experience, I don't like Nason.....unless its for something short-term. it doesn't hold up long-term and loses it's bond with surfaces and often flakes off 2-3yrs down the road. You can get Matrix brand for about the same price and it's a much hugher quality product....matter of face pay attention to the shows you see on TV like Counting Cars, American restoration, etc.....you often catch a glimpse of their paint supply room and they use Matrix almost exclusively.

honestly though, on a budget, I've had the best luck in a bang-for-buck scenario using duplicolor rattle can from the auto parts store and just putting REAL 2K clear over that. If you don't have the proper equipment you can get catalyzed 2K clear from Spraymax and it's an excellent product.

The Nason base coat may be crap, I don't know because I never sprayed it. But I sprayed probably close to 100 gallons or more of Nason single stage on all kinds of industrial equipment form Propane delivery trucks, brake presses, farm tractor restorations and on and on. I worked at that shop for 3 years, I never had one single job come back for paint failure. Maybe you were using it wrong?

Not that it matters much, as I indicated, I much prefer PPG base clear. I very rarely use single stage paint anymore. I can't really do anything kustom with single stage paint, so I don't waste my time or money using it.

 

[Scratcher09]

Keeping in mind that OP is probably more concerned with simplest way to to get a durable finish, single stage paint is a good option. After a DIYer gets some experience painting, then they may be interested in graduating to custom jobs. The main advantages to single stage jobs are simplicity and cost. This is a good way to get your feet wet in painting. There are definitely advntages to 2 or 3 stage paint jobs--especially when doing custom stuff.

 

[High On Octane]

Sorry if it came across that I suggest the OP to do a custom paint job, because that would be silly. I was just simply trying to imply the Pros and Cons between base/clear and single stage to help the OP decide which route is best for him.

 

[squared]

I've switched from rattle cans to Urethane basecoat/clearcoat available at your local auto paint shop. It's incredibly easy to paint with it and the gun you have will work fine. Lacquer thinner cleans it up. Make sure you do it with a lot of ventilation, respirator, goggles and long sleeve shirt.

 

[High On Octane]

As a professional painter, I can say that I have sprayed the DupliColor base coat available at Advance Auto and AutoZone for $25 a quart, and it actually sprays out pretty descent.. I've painted 2 different custom guitars with it using a 2K primer and 2K clear and it came out nice.


this is the DupliColor lime green pearl before clear


after clear and custom vinyl graphics



DupliColor dark emerald green metallic

 

[Luck]

I've sprayed many things with single stage paint and had great results. I've sprayed airplane wings with Imron all the way to pianos with lacquer. The best part of a single stage paint is the ability to repair it. I'm not saying the single stage paints that are on most auto repair shelves are the most durable, but these paints should be more than adequate to paint a cycle. They will provide wonderful way to learn the art of painting at a price that's easy on everyone's pocketbook. Best of luck on your quest.